Sliding door lock



March 1o, 1970 RJ.. SNBERG 3,499,615

' sLInING `DooRvLoc'K Filed July 22. 1958 jf, ,g l I' INVENTOR 8 l RAYMOND L. ISENBERG ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,499,675 SLIDING DOOR LOCK Raymond L. Isenberg, 4905 W. 69th St., Prairie Village, Kans. 66208 Filed July 22, 1968, Ser. No. 746,403

f Int. Cl. Ec 17/34 U.S. Cl. 292-263 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A first arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the well of a sliding door near the jamb for pivoting from a vertical position to a horizontal position directed toward the sliding door. A second arm is pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm and when both arms are extended toward the sliding door, the door is blocked against movement toward the jamb. A tensile member is anchored at one end thereof on the second arm and directed over a pivot pin between the first and second arm and anchored at the other end thereof adjacent the jamb in a position whereby the pivoting of the first arm automatically produces corresponding pivoting of the second arm between a folded position against the rst arm, when the rst arm is vertical, to a fully extended position away from the first arm when the first arm is horizontal. Suitable locking structure is provided for maintaining the arms in extended position in opposition to resilient means urging withdrawal of the arms into vertical folded position.

This invention relates to door detents and more particularly to lock structures for sliding doors.

There is a demand for lock structures in addition to the usual latch locks normally used to secure sliding doors. .l

This invention contemplates a sliding door lock structure which uses a pair of pivotally connected arms one of which is pivotally connected adjacent the door jamb, the arms being cooperatively arranged to retain the door in closed position when extended but adapted to easily fold out of the way to permit the door to be opened.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a sliding door locking structure ofthe compressive brace type which is simple in construction, easily installed and operated, takes little space in both locked and unlocked condition, and well suited for its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examples certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation showing lock structure embodying this invention in an intermediate position between locked and unlocked condition.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side elevation of the structure on a larger scale showing details of a latch arm and associated members in horizontal, locked condition.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end elevation of the structure showing the latch arm and associated members in vertical, unlocked condition.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a sliding door lock structure embodying this invention. The lock structure 1 includes a first or base arm 2 in the form of a channel connected at one end 3 thereof to a bracket 4 which is suitably mounted against the jamb 5 of a sliding door assembly. The sliding door assembly includes a sliding door 6 mounted on suitable rollers 7 which ICC operate in a well 8 when the door is opened in the direction indicated by the arrow 9.

The base arm 2 is connected to the bracket 4 by a suitable pivot pin 10 for pivoting from a horizontal position directed toward the door 6, indicated by the broken lines 11, to a vertical position indicated by the broken lines 12. A suitable resilient member, in this case a helical spring 13 surrounding the pivot pin 10, bears sirnultaneously against the base arm 2 and the bracket 4 for continuously urging the base arm 2 upwardly toward the vertical position indicated at 12.

A latch assembly 14 includes a latch arm 15 pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof at 16 to the base arm 2. The latch arm 15 has a hook structure 17 at one end thereof adapted to engage -a pin 18 rigidly secured to the bracket 4, the other end 19 of the latch arm 15 projecting upwardly through an opening 20 in the web of the base arm 2 forming a push button release for selectively pivoting the latch arm 15 about the pivot at 16. A suitable latch spring 21 urges the latch arm 15 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 so as to maintain engagement between the hook structure 17 and the pin 18. The base arm 2 is thereby maintained in a horizontal position, as indicated by the broken lines 11. When, however, the latch arm end 19 is depressed, the hook structure 17 is disengaged from the pin 18 permitting the helical spring 13 to lift the base arm 2 vertically. Upon returning the base arm 2 to the horizontal, the hook structure 17 rides over the pin 18 and engages same t0 retain the arm again in the position at 11.

A secondary arm 22 is also in the form of a channel and is preferably of generally the same length as the base 'arm 2. The arm 22 has one end of 23 thereof pivotally connected to the free end 24 of the base arm 2 for pivoting thereabout in a vertical plane. The total length of the arms 2 and 22 together in a linearally extended condition project substantially the entire length of the well 8, thus blocking movement ofthe sliding door 6. The arms 2 and 22 are suitably constructed so that pivoting of the arm 2 about the arm 22 cannot proceed counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. l, beyond a linearally extende'd position.

An anchor bracket 25 is secured to the under side and within the arm 22 and anchors thereon one end of a tensile member, in this example a chain 26. The chain 26 is threaded over a sleeve 27 surrounding the pivot pin 28 joining the arms 2 and 22 and extends rearwardly within and along the arm 2 toward the jamb 5. The chain 26 projects through an opening 28 near the end 3 of the arm and `terminates in engagement with an anchor 29 fixed to the bracket 4 rearwardly of the pivot pin 10. The relative positions of the anchor 29 and pivot pin 10 are such that the chain 26 moves rearwardly within and with respect to the arm 2 when the latter is pivoted downwardly from the position 12 to the position 11.

The chain 26 is maintained in a taunt condition between the anchor bracket 25 and the anchor 29 when the base arm 2 is moved downwardly out of the vertical position 12. The rearward movement of the chain 26 as the arm 2 is pivoted downwardly causes the arm 22 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 28 to the extent that the free or outer end 30 of the secondary arm 22 is always maintained generally at the same elevation as the pivot pin 10, resulting in the arms 2 and 22 finally together assuming an aligned columnar position blocking the sliding door 6 when the arm 2 reaches the horizontal. The arms are then maintained in this position through the above described engagement between the hook structure 17 and the pin 18 providing an effective lock against opening the door 6.

When it is decided to unlock the door, the latch arm end 19 is depressed, as by pressing with a foot, thus 3 permitting the spring 13 to lift the arm 2. This in also lifting the end 23 of the arm 22 while permitting same to pivot about the pin 28 toward the arm 2 due t0 slackening of the chain 26.

The arms 2 and 22 are of a configuration to nest within each other at the vertical position so that a minimum of space is occupied when the arms are unlocked.

It is to be understood that, while one form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited thereto.

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. Locking structure for selectively retaining a sliding door in a closed position comprising:

(a) bracket means adapted for mounting at the end of the path taken by said door when moving toward an open position,

(b) a first arm having one end thereof pivotally mounted on said bracket for movement in a vertical plane between a vertical position and a horizontal position projecting from said bracket toward said door in closed position,

(c) a second arm having one end thereof pivotally connected to the other end of said first arm for movement in a vertical plane between a vertical position folded against said first arm in said vertical position and a horizontal position projecting from said first arm in said horizontal position toward said door in closed position,

(d) said first and second arms in said horizontal positions having a total length substantially equal to the length of the path taken by said door when moved from an open to a closed position, and

(e) means for selectively maintaining said arms in said horizontal positions for blocking the opening of said door.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) resilient means is provided in said structure for urging said first arm toward said vertical position, and

(b) said means for selectively maintaining said arms in said horizontal positions includes a latching device.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

results (a) said resilient means is a helical spring having ends bearing .respectively against said first arm and said bracket means.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said latching device includes a latch arm pivotally connected to said first arm and having a hook portion at one end thereof, and

(b) a pin fixed to said bracket and adapted for engagement with said hook portion when said rst arm is in said horizontall position.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

(a) said latch arm has another end projecting upwardly through said first arm for pivotal actuation of said latch arm to release said hook portion from said pin.

6. The structure as setforth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said means for selectively maintaining said first and second arms in said horizontal'positions includes a' tensile member anchored at one end thereof t0 said second arm and at the other end thereof at a location spaced rearwardly of the pivotal connection between said bracket and first arm,

(b) said tensile member being threaded over the pivotal connection between said first and second arms.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

(a) said first arm is hollow, and

(b) said tensile member extends longitudinally within said first arm.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said first and second arms are configured to nest within one another in said folded condition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Cook 187-56 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner E. I. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 49-449; 292-278 

